WESTERN Australia kicked away from the Allies after a tight first half to finish off its AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships on a high. We took note of some of the players who caught the eye across the two sides in an entertaining contest up at Blacktown International Sportspark.

ALLIES:

#1 Mischa Barwin (Lauderdale/Tasmania)
Forward | 164cm | 04/12/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 5 marks, 1 tackle, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Another lively game from the Tasmanian talent who got her hands on the ball plenty during the match. Her ability to take grass and back herself is an endearing quality to her profile, even if she did run herself into trouble at times. When taking a shot for goal she brilliantly sidestepped Ella Gilbey, only to slip once she planted the foot past her. Still, she played a key role in the forward half working up the ground and linking up inside 50, while finding space well.

#6 Frances Walsh (Sydney University/Swans Academy/NSW)
Wing | 173cm | 30/03/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 2 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 goal, 1 behind

Came into the side and really impressed from the opening term. She looked composed with ball in hand and covered the ground exceptionally well. Her ability to rack up metres gained and release cleanly by hand stood out in the match, while kicking a great goal against the flow off the handball receive. Moves well and has nice upside, adding value on the outside.

#7 Kiera Yerbury (North Shore Bombers/Swans Academy/NSW)
Midfielder/Forward | 173cm | 24/07/2007

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 7 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

An enormous first term of 11 disposals and four inside 50s was huge by the Swans Academy member, before rotating forward and spending time finding space inside 50. She was often left alone given the focus on forwards such as Majella Day, and as such, got a number of chances on goal. Managed to convert one of them and for the most part used the ball well by foot all day, going long inside 50 and putting constant pressure on the opposition.

#15 Mia Anderson (Clarence/Tasmania)
Midfielder/Forward | 171cm | 14/02/2007

Stats: 22 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 behind

After a quiet first half of just six disposals, Anderson came alive in the second, spending more time up the ground and recording a game-high 16 second half disposals. She took over the role Yerbury had in many ways and looked to pump the ball inside 50, having a couple of chances on goal including on that unluckily hit the post in the final term. While she can tend to throw it on the boot under pressure, she runs hard and has really developed her outside game.

#16 Priya Bowering (Lauderdale/Tasmania)
Midfielder/Forward | 167cm | 02/01/2007

Stats: 28 disposals, 3 marks, 7 tackles, 9 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 behind

It was a statement performance from the National Academy star who had that aura about her. Bowering’s performance was reminiscent of a player who essentially took control of the game and her infectious, desperate desire to win the match was evident. Dominant around the ball, strong defensively and taking some big clunks including an intercept contested mark which set up Walsh’s goal, Bowering did it all. Nearly everything she did turned to gold and for an inside midfielder it was as close to a 10/10 performance as you’ll see.

#28 Isla Wiencke (Belconnen Magpies/Giants Academy/ACT)
Midfielder | 175cm | 30/03/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 3 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

Started forward and had two touches then was unleashed on the midfield in the second term and racked up eight disposals and a few clearances, really showing her best position. The strength around the ball and ability to get it forward was important and what stands out is when winning the second or third possession, does not blaze away and lowers the eyes. She benefited from having Bowering and Curry feeding her the ball at times as she sent it well inside 50 on a number of occasions.

#35 Zoe Curry (Oakleigh Chargers/Giants Academy/NSW)
Midfielder/Forward | 172cm | 09/10/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 behind

Like Wiencke, went inside after starting forward and crashed and bashed her way around the stoppage. Her ball use was exceptionally good given the pressure she was constantly under, and had her head on a swivel to switch when required. She did miss a set shot when presented with a shot on goal, but other than that, was consistent with the ball and without it.

#39 Madeleine Quinn (UTS Bats/Swans Academy/NSW)
Ruck/Key Forward | 185cm | 10/02/2007

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 14 hitouts, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50

Produced her best performance of the carnival thus far, working in tandem with Jessica Owen and then going forward to be a target. She is so clean via hand and boasts great vision and nice footy smarts. One such example was when the ball was in the air going inside 50 from a Bowering handball, rather than take possession and be tackled, she palmed it down to Barwin at ground level. Her movement through traffic is so rare for a player of her height.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

#3 Lucy Greenwood (East Perth)
Midfielder/Forward | 163cm | 23/03/2007

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Greenwood got her chance in the middle rather than more permanent forward and definitely showed an uptake in performance. Ironically she was able to hit the scoreboard with a clever burst inside 50 throwing it on the boot and it spiralled home for the first of the game just a minute into the second term. She spread well, was strong overhead and even showed great strength, winning a holding the ball free against Wiencke. Continued to do some nice things around the ground in her best performance of the national championships.

#7 Mia Russo (West Perth)
Midfielder | 165cm | 06/08/2007

Stats: 22 disposals, 2 marks, 6 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

Another really strong game for the West Perth star who might not have had massive numbers on the stats sheet, but her ability to use her clean hands, vision and footy smarts to make her teammates better, was evident. Russo worked in tandem with D’Addario often and the pair went about ensuring they got bang for buck forward of centre. She was fierce, applying fantastic pressure, and she still had her moments of class where she burst forward to try and break the lines before releasing.

#15 Renee Morgan (South Fremantle)
Defender | 168cm | 04/05/2007

Stats: 21 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 6 rebound 50s

Got her chance to show off her versatility in a new role off half-back and looked really solid there too. She read the ball well when it was coming in, and though at times she would work up to the stoppage potentially leaving her opponent, she showed dedication to work back when realising. Found plenty of it off half-back and relished having some time and space. Made some errors by foot but battled well in a new role.

#20 Carys D’Addario (Swan Districts)
Midfielder | 168cm | 01/03/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 8 clearances, 2 rebound 50s

A deserving MVP of the carnival and once again was the best Sandgroper across four quarters. She hardly plays a bad game, and was the one fighting the good fight early with Russo when having 12 disposals by half-time. Her centre bounce work was superb and she finished with a team-high eight clearances, often transitioning the ball well by foot and spread to win it in space as well as at the coalface.

#21 Alira Fotu (South Fremantle)
Tall Forward | 173cm | 17/09/2007

Stats: 13 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal

Played her role inside 50 and caused a few headaches, highlighted by her clever snap in the second term off the handball receive. She set up a Wolmarans goal in the third and showed her defensive capabilities with her sole tackle pinning Shakaila Gardiner-Dunn with a brilliant tackle at half-forward. Worked up the ground as well and was productive.

#22 Olivia Wolmarans (Subiaco)
Key Forward | 181cm | 02/09/2007

Stats: 12 disposals, 6 marks, 1 tackle, 3 inside 50s, 4 goals, 2 behinds

Her first half showed damaging signs like she had against South Australia, but could not seemingly put it through the big sticks. What she needed was an easy confidence-boosting goal, and that came in the form of a Joe the Goose in the goalsquare. A second major over the back running in only further enhanced her confidence, and it showed in the final term when she started launching them from long-range, finishing with four goals and showing every bit of her potential. A confidence player, but give her a sniff and she will tear any opposition to shreds.

#26 Maya Louvel-Finn (East Fremantle)
Defender | 169cm | 20/02/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 2 marks, 7 tackles, 1 clearance, 8 rebound 50s

While defenders don’t often get the same credit that the midfielders and forwards do, it would not be far-fetched to say the Sandgropers potentially don’t win the match without Louvel-Finn’s impact. Her ability to shutdown Majella Day – or as best as anyone can – to keep her goalless and then provide rebound herself, was sensational. This is the kind of performance she has shown at WAFLW level, and while solid the other games, this was another step up and no doubt one that would have caught the eye of plenty.

#32 Olivia Crane (Subiaco)
Wing/Defender | 182cm | 08/10/2007

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 1 clearance, 4 rebound 50s

Was back to her best in the game, providing a real thorn in the Allies’ side. While Louvel-Finn was the pick of the defenders, Crane was brilliant too, and her ball use is what sets her apart. She takes those 45-kicks and finds targets that few others can. The Subiaco talent is one of those players you just get the ball in the hands of and let her go to work. Not only gets its done aerially, but will get her hands dirty at ground level too.